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Alice Walton Ascends to World’s Richest Woman Title, Overtaking L’Oréal Heiress
In a recent announcement, Forbes magazine has identified a new holder of the title of world’s richest woman. Breaking from previous years, the top position is no longer held by French L’Oréal heiress Francoise Bettencourt Meyers. While women constitute a minority, representing just 13.4% of the global billionaire population according to the publication, the rankings between Alice Walton and Francoise Bettencourt Meyers have been closely contested for some time. Bettencourt Meyers experienced a decrease in her estimated wealth following a 20% decline in L’Oréal’s stock value, largely attributed to decreased sales in China. She has also recently declared her departure from the vice chair position at the cosmetics giant.
Walton Surpasses Bettencourt Meyers in Billionaire Rankings
Though June 2025 saw Bettencourt Meyers achieve a milestone as the first woman to amass an estimated £75.5 billion fortune, her reign was short-lived. By September, Alice Walton, heiress to the Walmart empire, had surpassed her. With an immense fortune now assessed at approximately £76.3 billion, Alice Walton, the sole daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton, currently holds the distinction of being the wealthiest woman globally.
Walmart Stock Surge Fuels Walton’s Wealth Increase
Forbes reports that Alice Walton‘s fortune experienced a substantial £21.6 billion surge, primarily due to a significant 40% increase in Walmart stock values.
- Inheritance and Company Success: Walton’s substantial stake in Walmart, coupled with the corporation’s ongoing financial success, has been instrumental in escalating the worth of her holdings.
- Global Ranking: She is presently ranked as the 15th richest individual worldwide.
- Family Rankings: Her brother, Rob Walton and his family, occupy the 11th position, while Jim Walton and his family are positioned as the 12th wealthiest globally.
Luxury Real Estate Acquisition in New York City
Adding to her portfolio of assets, Alice Walton recently acquired a lavish £18 million apartment in New York City. This expansive residence provides 6,346 square feet of living space, boasting:
- Five bedrooms
- Six bathrooms
- A grand staircase
- 52 windows offering panoramic city views
Commitment to the Arts and Philanthropy
Despite her wealth originating from the retail behemoth, Walton has dedicated a significant portion of her life to the arts. She is the founder of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, situated in her hometown of Bentonville, Arkansas. This esteemed institution showcases prominent works from celebrated artists including Andy Warhol, Norman Rockwell, and Georgia O’Keeffe.
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Other Prominent Women in the Wealth Rankings
Following closely behind in the rankings of the world’s wealthiest women are:
- Julia Koch, widow of industrialist David Koch (deceased 2019), and
- Jacqueline Mars, heir to the Mars confectionery conglomerate, who maintain the third and fourth positions respectively.
Self-Made Billionaires Among the Elite
Notably, within the top ten wealthiest women, Rafaela Aponte-Diamant, the Swiss co-founder of MSC, stands out as the sole self-made billionaire, according to Forbes.
Other self-made women recognized on the wealth charts include influential figures like Oprah Winfrey and Taylor Swift. Swift’s net worth witnessed an extraordinary 45% surge over the past year, propelled by the unprecedented triumph of her Eras Tour, which attained the status of the highest-grossing tour of all time, generating an impressive £1.5 billion in revenue.